J Taylor

Adventure training in Croatia

Over the summer students from the University of Birmingham Air Squadron (UBAS) travelled to Croatia for a week of Adventurous Training on board yachts. UBAS is based at RAF Cosford in Shropshire and has approximately 75 students from West Midlands universities, with around 30 students recruited each academic year. Students are RAF Reservists, with the rank of Officer Cadet. The University Air Squadrons…

BMRC Military match day is demonstration of support

The match day ball made a spectacular entrance from the skies at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club’s (BMRC) first match of the season against Sale FC Rugby Club, parachuting into the stadium with the Red Devils Parachute Display Team. The display formed part of the club’s military match day event, which also included a ‘Military Village’ in their grounds and free entry to the…

Green-fingered Reservists help to improve community garden

A community centre in Birmingham is growing its links with their local Army Reserve unit after working with them to improve the centre’s green outdoor spaces for its users. Reservists from A Company 5th Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (5RRF) in Sheldon worked at Highfield Hall Community Centre (HHCC) to remove waste wood from tree felling, and remove overgrown intrusive vegetation impacting on the…

Summer on the waves with Coventry Sea Cadets

Coventry Sea Cadets’ rowing teams enjoyed Gold success in the District competition with other Sea Cadet units from the West Midlands and Mercia.  They then represented the district at the Area (regional) Regatta in Bristol,  where the sliding seat team came away as silver medalists while the boat handling crew took bronze.  In the sliding seat competition, Leanna L-T and Reece C rowed…

Midlands employers receive coveted Ministry of Defence Award

Twenty three employers from the West Midlands region received their Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards alongside eight organisations who had theirs revalidated from 2017. The West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA) awards took place on Wednesday 21st September at the National Memorial Arboretum. The ERS awards were launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for…

Shropshire ACF set sights on Cyprus adventures

Cadets and staff from Shropshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) are busy fundraising for an action-packed trip to Cyprus for a week of adventure training. 24 cadets are hoping to experience the once in a lifetime opportunity during the October half-term – which will involve mountain biking on Troodos Mountain, scuba diving, paddle boarding and kayaking in the Mediterranean Sea. As well as taking…

Shrewsbury celebrates military partnerships

Over 80 employers and dignitaries from Shropshire attended a black tie civic reception at Shrewsbury Castle at the end of July to celebrate D Squadron the Royal Yeomanry receiving the Freedom of the Town of Shrewsbury. Bringing together forces-friendly organisations and the military, the event was co-hosted by Shropshire Council and our Association, and sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler. It provided a chance for…

Snapshot on three Commonwealth Games baton bearers

This summer Birmingham had the privilege of hosting  the 2022 Commonwealth Games, held in England for only the third time. Showcasing the best of the second city and the world-class athletes and sports talent from across our Commonwealth, the ten-day event has left a lasting legacy for sport and future generations across the region. Many individuals were nominated to carry the Queen’s baton…

Exercise IRON WOLF, a Reservists view

During May, nine members of 37 Sig Regt were attached to 4 MERCIAN to provide Information Communication Services (ICS) capability and support on Exercise IRON WOLF 22; a NATO exercise being hosted by the Lithuanian Enhanced Forward Protection Battle Group. The exercise began with a four day road move to the host country. With differing time zones and with long driving hours through…